A system for dual-energy radiography

A system has been developed and theoretically analysed for the generation of chemical information from conventional radiography. A specially modified cassette has enabled dual-energy radiographs to be taken during a single exposure. A simple theoretical model has demonstrated that the concept of an optical density "standardised" to the local surroundings allows adequate quantification of the dual-energy radiographs. Using this method, data can be obtained relating to the effective atomic number of a radiographed material provided some estimate of its physical density is known. Simulated in vivo analysis of gall-stone composition has been demonstrated using these techniques.